Wednesday, October 18, 2006

In what may well be a first in romance blogging, the Playfriends of WritingPlayground.com and I have joined forces to bring you Simultaneous Guest Blogs and a Scavenger Hunt for Pirate Treasure!2 lucky winners chosen at random will each win Pirate Treasure: 12-Packs of New Romance Novels!Details buried in the blogs.No Spoilers, please.Please give a warm Bella Buongiorno to the New Kids on the Blog...

Hey Y’all!

I lurk on this blog, so I can’t tell you how thrilling it is to be asked to make an appearance here. It’s also majorly intimidating—I’m blogging after Theresa Medeiros and before Pamela Clare. We’re the mystery filling in this week’s bestseller sandwich, and the mystery is “Who are these people and why are they on Michelle’s blog?”

So introductions should come first. Collectively, we are the Playfriends of the WritingPlayground.com. There’s Angel (our resident good girl, Danniele), Instigator (our resident bad girl, Kira), Smarty Pants (our snarkastic techie, Alex), the Playground Monitor (Marilyn, the poor woman who has to keep us all in line -- and the Bella you know and love), and me, the Problem Child and temporary mouthpiece for the Playground (Kimberly).

Photo: from L to R: Marilyn, Alexandra, Danniele, Kimberly, Kira.(Michelle is an Honorary Playfriend today and is blogging over on the Playground. Be sure to pop over there, tell her hi, and search for Pirate Treasure!)

The Writing Playground was brainstormed into existence a year ago last Saturday and went live a month later. When we first launched the Playground, our target audience was folks like us: aspiring writers looking for support, camaraderie, and information. After all, newbie writers may be a dime a dozen, but it can be a lonely situation.

We know how lucky we are to have the other Playfriends around, and, in reality, the Playground is really just our lives and our friendship hung out in cyberspace for the world to see. We are always beyond tickled when newbie writers told us they found something they needed on the Playground.Much to our surprise, though, readers began hanging out on the Playground. These people didn’t write, and had no intention of writing, but they liked hearing our stories as we juggled the ups and downs of our personal and writing lives. These readers celebrate our successes and commiserate over our rejections, offer advice on everything from child rearing to fashion choices, and have very kindly offered to buy our books when we (finally) make that sale.

It brings home what I love most about romance readers and writers: we really are a community. You know that already because you hang out here with Michelle and the other Bellas. And that leads me to the why we’re here part…

To have some fun. To enjoy each other’s company. To talk about reading and writing romance in all its fabulousness. To go treasure hunting and get great prizes.

The Playfriends will be here all day. We’d love to talk about what everyone’s reading or writing, or anything else, for that matter.

**************Pirate Treasure Hunt:Find the answers to the following questions, then email your answers – with HUNT in the subject line -- to playgroundmonitor@writingplayground.com by midnight (CST). Two lucky winners chosen randomly from all correct responses win Pirate Treasure: A 12-Pack of New Romance Novels!

Smarty Pants checking in! I am so excited to be here today and chat with all of you. Being involved in this website and blog has allowed me to meet so many new people - fellow writers, readers, editors, agents, even PR and other industry people. The romance community is so welcoming and I'm proud to be a part of it.

The Playground has been such an important part of my life over this last year, I can't wait to share it with new people whenever I get the chance. We try to provide articles and information that is useful to everyone, but in the end, its about the friendship we share and the trials we face as writers. Please stop by to laugh, cry, cheer, and give a hearty Playground SQUEEE with us!

Oh, and a big THANK YOU to whomever decided to use that yummy picture of Johnny Depp today. :)

For the record, Michelle picked that photo of Johnny Depp. I should have added a photo of a box of strawberry Jello too. *g* Sorry, inside joke, though maybe a certain Playfriend will explain it.

And speaking of Playfriends... Sometimes we get called Playmates. Now while this AARP member wouldn't mind being mistaken for one of those women with a staple in her navel, we decided that moniker had a decidedly Hefneresque ring to it and use Playfriends instead.

And why am I a Playfriend? Because they invited me and insisted I be part of the group because of my amazing skill with Blogger? They did invite me; Blogger came later and I still struggle with it. Sometimes I feel like the fish out of water (here goes my self-esteem issues again) because they've all written novels and I've yet to complete one. We had this discussion last weekend at our RWA retreat and they assured me that short stories are an important genre too. I could not ask for a better group of friends who support me unconditionally yet are willing to kick me in the seat of the pants if necessary.

Marilyn

P.S. The hunk I posted for Michelle is a fellow named Ignacio "Nacho" Figueras and he's an Argentinean polo player who moonlights as a Ford model for Ralph Lauren's Polo Black and Double Black cologne. The November issue of Lucky magazine has a drool-worthy photo of him on page 15.

Don't make me warm up my boot PM :-) You're doing fabulously with those short stories!! You definitely know what the magazines are looking for.

The reason I belong to the playground? Because I couldn't get through the ups and downs of writing with a day job, two small children and a family without the playfriends. They understand when no one else does. It's just that simple. Oh and the fact that they have dirt on me ;-D

Angel here! I had to wipe away the drool over the hunky guys before I could type! Being a writer has certain advantages, like being able to tell my husband that all the pictures of dark and mysterious men hanging on my board are research. They are research! I swear!

Thanks for having us here, Michelle! I'm so excited. New Kids on the Block... love that.

Community... until I became involved with our local writers' group, I had no idea that community could have absolutely nothing to do with geographical proximity. But the overwhelming acceptance and support of writers and readers is the very thing I would hope for in a community. Inviting you over for dinner when you win a contest or sell a story; offering chocolate and hugs when a rejection devastates you; dangling the carrot in front of you to get you moving on your manuscript. That's what friends are for, whether they live down the road or you only "see" them in cyberspace.

Hmmm... I just realized all the above references included food. Maybe I'm hungry?!? :)

I'll be checking in later, have to go take care of my son for a little while.

Buongiorno, Bellas and Playfriends! Welcome to our little community of typo-rich and often spelling-challenged (um, that'd be me) chicks who dig talkin romance and sex and snaxy guys, and snaxy younger guys...

I love that both The Playground and RBtheBlog are about support-- often professional, even here, but mostly just a low-key place to get the love from some girlfriends.

I've got to write, but will be back in lots today to read more. I love what the Playfriends have to say about writing and, especially, playing nice.

It's funny you mention playing nice, Michelle. At the Playground, its one of our rules. We try to be professional at all times and even if we're frustrated by one thing or another, we never name names, editors, or houses. That's just not cool. Unfortunately, the internet has become a place where people feel they can jump on their soapbox and spew their personal beliefs about everyone and everything.

The romance community is wonderful - but small. We try our best not to say or do anything that could get us put in 'detention.' We're fun, friendly people and the Playground is the kind of place where anyone can come play and have a good time. We hope a few Bellas can join us!

Funny, but we were having the "professional jealousy" talk over the weekend and all found it so sad that some folks feel the need to take potshots at fellow writers who've succeeded.

Sure, some jealousy is natural. I'm jealous the other Playfriends have written a whole book or books. Maybe they're jealous that I've actually sold something and made money writing. But we're not nasty about it. No one has a target painted on their back with folks lined up to pull an arrow from the quiver and shoot.

Ack...was hoping Marilyn's comment would slip past. OK...strawberry Jell-o... last weekend, our RWA chapter had a weekend retreat that included an icebreaker. Everyone had to draw a slip from the bowl and answer the question. My question was:

If you had to wrestle in a pool of Jell-o, what flavor would it be and who would you wrestle with?

After I stopped laughing and my face faded from bright red to slightly pink, I announced that if given the opportunity, I would wrestle in strawberry jello with Johnny Depp. ...sigh... Sounds good, doesn't it??

Group plotting and brainstorming was pretty much how the Playfriends got started many moons ago. (Evolution took us from plotting books to plotting our universe!)

Each of my books has something from the Playfriends in it. Getting everyone together and getting their ideas is fabulous--not only do you get others' great ideas, those ideas spark your own brain to go in different directions.

I always thought it would be "cheating" somehow if someone else helped me plot a book. WRONG! I learned how important it can be (and I also learned that the big names do it all the time as well.) You find all the holes in your plot before you get too far into it and find out that your heorine may be too stupid to live.

You need ground rules in your group, though. It's YOUR book. Everyone else can offer advice and opinions, but don't let them take over and stomp out your voice and ideas. Agree to disagree and leave it at that. The author always has the final word.

Angel and Instigator are always trying to angst-up my books. I don't do angst. My characters may have baggage, but it's the rolling kind--not the crippling kind. So, while they may want to give my heroine an alcholic mother and abandonment issues, I smile and nod and tone it all down (I write romantic comedies...too much angst just isn't funny.)

Welcome all the Playground ladies! New people to play with! Woot! I love to play...

Hmm, let me see I just finished reading Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine, the secodn book in the Weather Wardens, and next up is Solomon's Jar by Alex Archer, second in the Rogue Angel series...I adore both of these authors...

What I'm working is the second book in my Valorian Journals series called DARK LIES. Woot! It's going very well!

Yeah... what Problem Child said. And I'm almost ready to send them the latest short story I'm working on because my word count is short and I need good, solid extra material to punch it up. Right now all I can come up with are a few adverbs. :grin:

Plotting in a group with people who understand you and your work can be awesome. Yes, we do try to angst up Problem Child's stories but that's just because each of us write such different stuff we all have different things to offer. Angel writes emotionally charges stories. Instigator writes sexy stories. I write dark funny stories and Problem Child writes light funny stories. Playground Monitor grabs up the best of all of them, which is why her short stories just keep selling. Throw all those perspectives together and you get something really great.

They just helped me plot a book this weekend. Even though its a paranormal and none of them write or really read paranormal, they have me great ideas and helped me flesh out the storyline.

Hey, Vivi Anna! I agree, I dig Rachel Caine's stuff too--but I'll have to try Alex Archer--is that the futuristic series? I'm so glad your writing is going well. You're an inspiration to me--writing full time and home-schooling. I bow down.

Problem child, Smarty pants and Play--I'm too used to calling you Marilyn! Thanks for your answers, I have had two close friends read my stuff--just to tell me if it was crap or not...

I actually think having people who don't write the same stuff as you do is probably a good idea--wider range o' ideas.

Thanks for the reassurance of not cheating, now I'm excited and so the search begins...

Amy, I don't think I'd call is futuristic...It is published by Gold Eagle, which is a divison of Harlequin I beleive. It's action adventure, a female Indiana Jones...her character's name is Annja Creed, and she rocks!

Each of the Playfriends has an alter ego that describes part of themselves - Angel, Instigator, Smarty Pants, Problem Child and Playground Monitor. Bellas - if YOU were one of the Playfriends, what would your icon / alter ego be? The brains? The trouble maker? The goody two shoes? The brat?

We'd love to hear. There's lots of personality options on the playground.

I am a goody-two shoes, but occasionally my inner brat emerges. I also have brains and did well in school...hmmm...Brainy or The Nerd (something I was called a few times). Or I was sometimes the teacher's pet in school I guess. LOL So maybe that could be my moniker...Teacher's Pet.

I have a pretty bawdy sense of humor, and I'm always accused of lowering the level of a conversation to something dirty. I think of it as my inner Beavis. So my nickname from some of my friends is "Common" as in lowest common denominator. L

amy*skf: I used to feel exactly the same way! I'd feel guilty because I thought I should be able to come up with everything and make my book totally unique. But I got over that really quick when we went to the Story Magic workshop and they discussed brainstorming weekends. I was amazed at how many big named authors do this! And didn't feel nearly so guilty.

And let me tell you, listening to Linda Howard during a plotting session was awesome! She can strip a story down to its bare bones in seconds. Not to mention telling you whether your heroine is too stupid to live or not. My last one was "eminently reasonable", to which I replied, "Huh?"

As for icons, I've been dubbed the Angel of the group, but I can be sneaky! I'll ride along with Problem Child and Instigator, as long as I can be sure I won't get caught! :)

Angel--thanks, I'm seriously excited about getting a plotting group together.

Sandwich maker--I really should let Vivi explain, but I won't. A Vivi sammich--two guys with a Vivi in between! We do so love our Vivi.

Marykate, I have been accused right along with you. Remember the trouble we got into? Maybe my moniker would be Guttah! As in my brain is in the gutter. But then again I want everyone to get along, and then there's my husband who would call me the Drama Queen.

I'm reading Midnight Moon by Lori Handeland. We just interviewed her in September and her books are in our this month's contest. I love her stuff.

As a group, we don't really read the same stuff. At least I don't. Several of them read a lot of Desire or Blaze books. I tend to be the lone paranormal reader. We all indulge in our our Maven's books. Especially if they have a dedication to us in them. :)

Hey, Michelle! An additional recommendation for Pirate Fans--I just found the premiere issue of Pirates magazine with (who else?) Captain Jack on the cover. Lots of fun. I'm passing on your site info to folks here in the Pacific Northwest. Feel free to contact us in and around the Emerald City!

Also, come next September, don't forget International Talk Like a Pirate Day--Just say Aarrgh, or, if you like, Savvy?Cheers and Good Words, Coral>

I am starting a Silhouette Desire tonight or tomorrow; it's part of the Elliots continuity and I've followed this series all year. Then next is Philip's book from La Nora's Chesapeake series. Oh gosh did I ever love me some Ethan! After that is probably "Dangerous Deceptions" by Beverly Barton which has the aforementioned Playfriends dedication in it. When we saw that, we probably let out the Squeee heard round the world. :grin:

I just finished Rhonda Nelson's Men Out of Uniform series - fantastic and funny! In fact, you can read a recommendation for The Specialist and The Maverick this month on the playground website. Right now I'm reading Nora's newest Dance of the Gods. It's a bit different but I'm enjoying the series.

Sandwich maker--well, that's exactly what I thought it was, but I didn't want everyone to think my mind was in the gutter. Guess I don't have to worry about that, huh? :)

I was sick yesterday, so I spent the day on the couch with Beverly Barton's new Dangerous Desires. How could I put any book above one dedicated to the Children of the Playground?!? And it was an awesome read!

Oooohhh... five days talking sex. Sounds like that's right up our alley!

I wanted to check back in tonight and say how much fun I had here today. I plan to stop in here more often and hope that you guys will make the trek over to the Playground often. We loved all the comments! We have so many lurkers. :)

And don't forget to enter to win the Pirate's Treasure by emailing your answers to Marilyn tonight. The Playground also has a paranormal contest running through the end of this month with some great giveaways (I'm running it, so of course, it's fabulous!). :)

But I'm still bummin cause I thought you Playfriends would give me an honorary title. Is that too much to ask for? That and a Squawk Radio chicken that looks like me? Ah, well, I have dreams, too...Yes, miss monitor, you did say you loved you some Ethan. That scene in the seagrass really stayed w/ me. Quietly alpha and oh, so tortured.

Ames, no soul sold. At least not that I'm talkin bout here...

Oh, thank you Playfriends for joining us and having me at the Playground. What fun. Please come play with us again, OK?

You are great examples of what can be done with the Inet to create connections for women, and I admire the support you give one another and all your Playfriends. Please stop by often!

The Pirate Treasure Winners have been posted on our blog. I've sent the info to Michelle and I'm sure she'll post as soon as possible. I understand she has family visiting and we all know family comes first.

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who visited and played. Y'all are all our playfriends now and we hope you'll keep reading our blog and checking out our website. We update on the 1st and 15th of every month. There's a link at the bottom of our home page where you can join "Playground News" and receive a once-a-month notice of updates and contests.

Most of all, thanks to the Queen Bella for giving us this opportunity to make new friends.